Another Brake pad sensor light Question

[Fabio]

Hi

After the brake pad sensor goes on, how long can you go before you really need to replace the pads?
mine only came on last night and today while breaking i could hear some squeaking (not too loud) coming from the front brakes.I wont be replacing them until at leat this time next week

Thanks again

[tatty]

let me get this rite when your brake pads are worn..a warnign light comes up on the speedo#????

i dunno how long left till my pads are worn but very soon i think so shall i just wait till the light comes up before changeing them???

thanks

[ONED]

I wouldn't depend on the pad wear sensor!!!!

On my beamer I ended up scoring a disc the other month cos the pad was worn rite down and I got no warning!

Also you gota take into account that there are only sensors on 1 front and 1 back wheel!!!!...so you have to hope that the wear rate is even all around.

It would do no harm to pull a wheel off and take a look in!

I replaceed the rear pads on the MINI the day before MtM, the light had been on for over 3 weeks at that stage!
...as long as the brakes are not squeeling you should be ok!

[Fabio]

Quote: Originally Posted by ONED

I wouldn't depend on the pad wear sensor!!!!

On my beamer I ended up scoring a disc the other month cos the pad was worn rite down and I got no warning!

Also you gota take into account that there are only sensors on 1 front and 1 back wheel!!!!...so you have to hope that the wear rate is even all around.

It would do no harm to pull a wheel off and take a look in!

I replaceed the rear pads on the MINI the day before MtM, the light had been on for over 3 weeks at that stage!
...as long as the brakes are not squeeling you should be ok!

Thanks Barry,
I better not use the car at all, cause theres a squeak coming from the front discs

[pocketrocketowner]

The sensor comes on when you still have a hope of not damaging your discs. You should change your pads immediately, else you will have to buy new discs......

[tenderidol]

I am glad I saw this thread, because I was about to post a break-related question.

I just had my left-front runflat repaired few days ago. The car is an 03 MCS with almost 38K on the clock. When they fixed the tire, I asked them to check the brakes as well... I was told that "I have quite a bit of brake life on those pads" - based only on the left-front, though.

Here is the kicker: Starting a week ago, I am hearing this quiet squeak when I push the break pedal (more obvious in the parking garage of course). No brake indicator light yet... Should I take it to a shop for an opinion? Could it be that the rear pads go much faster and now making the squeak? As a last option, should I just drive it and wait for the sensors to tell me that it is time for new brakes?

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

[Fabio]

Quote: Originally Posted by tenderidol

I am glad I saw this thread, because I was about to post a break-related question.

I just had my left-front runflat repaired few days ago. The car is an 03 MCS with almost 38K on the clock. When they fixed the tire, I asked them to check the brakes as well... I was told that "I have quite a bit of brake life on those pads" - based only on the left-front, though.

Here is the kicker: Starting a week ago, I am hearing this quiet squeak when I push the break pedal (more obvious in the parking garage of course). No brake indicator light yet... Should I take it to a shop for an opinion? Could it be that the rear pads go much faster and now making the squeak? As a last option, should I just drive it and wait for the sensors to tell me that it is time for new brakes?

Thanks in advance for the help!!!

You should take off the wheels and have a look at the pads yourself or bring it into your dealer .
There is a sensor in the rear also but they are only on one pad at the back and the front, so it could be that the pad that doesnt have the sensor (right front?) is on its way out.

[tatty]

how much are new pads and how much bmw charge to fit them..????

my brake pad light just came up about 20minutes ago....

from feeling the disc..i can feel the lip at the front quite a bit but at the rear not that much of a lip..

does this mean i have to change discs as well

[ONED]

I wouldn't worry too much about a lip on the disc!


I would be more concerned with how much material is left on the PADS.

I changed my rears for little over £20!, but you will need a special tool to wind the rear calipers back in!! , the fronts are straight forward though

[Fabio]

Quote: Originally Posted by ONED

I wouldn't worry too much about a lip on the disc!


I would be more concerned with how much material is left on the PADS.

I changed my rears for little over £20!, but you will need a special tool to wind the rear calipers back in!! , the fronts are straight forward though

Do you know what the tool is called barry???

[pocketrocketowner]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fabio

Do you know what the tool is called barry???

I ain't barry but I can tell you a pair of needle nosed pliers will work just fine. The pistons have little dimples on them, stick the tips on them and turn with a slight pressure against the piston. Make sure to go the right way!
Universal caliper piston retracting tool would be my guesstimate of the name of the tool and it usually fits a 3/8 " drive ratchet, and you have to use an extension.
Hope this helps and barry answers as well.......

[Fabio]

Quote: Originally Posted by pocketrocketowner

I ain't barry but I can tell you a pair of needle nosed pliers will work just fine. The pistons have little dimples on them, stick the tips on them and turn with a slight pressure against the piston. Make sure to go the right way!
Universal caliper piston retracting tool would be my guesstimate of the name of the tool and it usually fits a 3/8 " drive ratchet, and you have to use an extension.
Hope this helps and barry answers as well.......

Thanks, i'll let you know next week when i fit the pads if it works

[tatty]

how much are new pads for teh frotn and how much for the rear..

does it take long to change them yourself?

how much would bmw/mini charge to change front and rear brake pads+

[Rakey]

lots of talk of the sensors, but not all MINI's have them on

the sensor came in from around March 03 I think

[ONED]

Oh!...if youve got a light on now then you will have to replace the relavent sensor! as it will now be knackered!.....or if you just want to put the light out then cut the end off the sensor and strip and join the 2 wires together!

although the sensor won't be that expensive, but if you haven't got it at the time...